Prolonged headache after lumbar puncture. Successful treatment with an epidural blood patch in a 12-year-old boy.

Abstract

A case is presented of a 12-year-old boy with a post-lumbar puncture headache of 6 weeks duration that was treated successfully with an epidural blood patch. Post-lumbar puncture headache in children is an uncommon event. The incidence can be reduced by using a spinal needle no larger than 22 gauge to minimize the size of the dural puncture and subsequent leak of CSF. When a post-lumbar puncture headache occurs, conservative treatment with bedrest, hydration, analgesics, and psychologic support is usually all that is required. When a post-lumbar puncture headache lasts more than 1 week and other diagnoses have been excluded, an epidural blood patch performed by an experienced physician usually provides prompt and complete relief of symptoms with minimal risk.

• Authors: K B Robbins, J E Prentiss
• Journal: Clinical pediatrics (Clin Pediatr (Phila)) Vol. 29 Issue 6 Pg. 350-2 (Jun 1990) ISSN: 0009-9228 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2361347 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Blood
• Child
• Dura Mater (injuries)
• Headache (etiology, therapy)
• Humans
• Injections, Epidural
• Male
• Spinal Puncture (adverse effects)
• Time Factors